For children, play isn’t just fun–it’s brain-building, and the simplest everyday interactions with kids matter more than flashcards or fancy toys. Jesse Ilhardt reflects on her own experience as a preschool teacher–once focused on checklists of letters, numbers, and shapes–and explains why real learning comes through play and interactions. Research shows that playful back-and-forth interactions between children and adults actually build the brain’s architecture, especially the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for problem-solving, planning, and emotional regulation.

But many parents and teachers still avoid play because they want quick results (like memorizing letters) or feel unsure how to play. The talk highlights how simple, everyday moments, like using measuring cups and sponges at bath time instead of traditional bath toys, can become powerful brain-building opportunities. The takeaway: kids don’t need fancy toys or endless worksheets. What they need most is time to play, and caring adults who join in.

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